1953 Ford Crestline Sunliner Convertible Coupe

The Indianapolis 500 features a "rolling start" in which entrants follow a pace car into the green flag.  Various automobile manufacturers provide pace cars on an irregular rotating basis.  As America's longest-running automobile race, it's not surprising that the Indianapolis 500 is steeped in special traditions.  Whether it's the wistful singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” before the green flag, or the celebratory Victory Lane milk toast – which is anything but milquetoast – Indy is full of distinctive rituals that make the race unique.  One of those long-standing traditions is the pace car, a fixture since the very first Indy 500 in 1911.  Ford was given pace car honors for 1953 and thusly built 2,000 examples for the public.  It was a big year for the company – half a century had passed since Henry Ford and his primary shareholders signed the articles of association establishing Ford Motor Company in 1903.  The firm celebrated its golden anniversary in several ways.  It commissioned Norman Rockwell to create artwork for a special calendar.  It built a high-tech concept car said to contain more than 50 automotive innovations.  And it gave every vehicle it built that year a commemorative steering wheel badge that read “50th Anniversary 1903-1953”. -Thx to Thehenryford.org

For 1953 Ford Crestline Sunliner, driven by William Clay Ford Sr. Ford Motor Company celebrated its 50th anniversary with this special edition pace car with a special white and gold color scheme and special graphics.  It featured the venerable 239ci flathead eight fitted with a 2bbl Holley Model 2100 carburetor and three-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission.  This was the first Indy 500 pace car to be replicated by a manufacturer and Henry Ford II had a limited edition of 2000 replicas built for sale to the public.  Offered for consignment and your viewing pleasure, this 1953 Ford Crestline Sunliner convertible coupe, which is possibly the nicest example this automotive starstruck writer has laid eyes on as it was restored, has won an AACA Jr and Sr National in 2022 and is still looking fresh out of the shop today.  Striking special order white paint, a flawless 2 tone interior, and some rarities added on all come together to make this a true best of the best showing in our Hallowed Halls...Gentlemen Start Your Engines!!!   

Exterior
A near perfect application of factory and Pace Car correct Sungate Ivory covers the straight steel panels of the lower sections of this car that have well minded gaps, and a mirror like shine.  A correct white canvas convertible top is reserved for the roof and like the rest of the car, shows as near flawless with a clear plastic rear window.  From its neatly designed big 1950's front grille with reflections so deep I could shave my 5 o'clock shadow with ease, to the big side trim spear that starts at the headlights and goes to the back of the forward door, then gets picked up again on the back at the fender bump out with an angled ribbed larger panel that turns into a spear off the center and a metal bump out at the top edge of the “wing” perfectly highlighting the Pace Car correct small fender skirts.  This literally looks like you're looking skyward at the underside of a flying jet complete with chrome contrail.  We note incorrect Customline badging within the front trim spears, as this car should have Crestline trim in its place.  Plenty of chrome trimmings for the window surrounds and a single round tail light with a wide chrome bezel and small chromed center rest on the end of the fender which has rounded tops to meet the taillights.  A Coronado continental kit in Sungate Ivory and chrome graces the area between these lights and down low is another ultra shiny rear bumper with twin upright guards.  A chrome piece of note is the very rare and not oft seen crossed flags around the gold Ford crest fender emblems.   Anniversary Gold 15-inch steel wheels with FORD badged polished caps are wrapped in wide white bias ply tires on all 4 corners.  The flowing lines and chrome overload is what truly sets the whole package off in this writer's humble opinion.

Interior
The door panels utilize a myriad of materials from smooth Pearlescent White vinyl to smooth black vinyl to smooth gold vinyl and even some Anniversary Gold painted metal, which all work together to form the door panels.  Lest we forget the mirror-like chrome trimmings and Anniversary Gold padded armrest dressing these doors which add to the early 50's charm.  Wide long benches, with the front being a split, are the passengers seating front and rear, and are covered with wide tuck and roll Pearlescent White inserts, smooth white vinyl uppers with Anniversary Gold upper accenting all within a gold tub.  Some light wrinkling of the vinyl is noted on the upper front seats, but these do not detract from the charming warmth these seats provide.  An Anniversary Gold steel full metal jacket dash and original instrumentation are seen inside.  The horseshoe speedometer and gauge cluster are in front of the large black 50th anniversary badged original steering wheel with its half chrome ring horn actuator.  A chrome trimmed radio and temp controls are noted on this dash and a centrally located clock in a small circular bump up is in the top dead center of this dash.  A pair of correct Anniversary Gold sun visors dress the beginnings of the wrap-around windshield and look just fab.  Gold carpeting, cleaner than clean, floats this interior and now I am in true early 50's heaven.

Drivetrain
Powered by the 239ci flathead V8 and 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic column mounted shifter, this combo provides 110hp.  There is a 2-barrel carburetor atop, and way in the back is the rear axle weighing in with a 3.31 ratio.  Overall condition of the engine bay can best be described as factory fresh with the orange painted block, heads, and intake providing the perfect contrast to the black bay.  We note power steering is on to make the drive that much easier.

Undercarriage
With some light patina and rust and very few flaws for the bottom side of this show winner we are back in 1953 all over again.  A strong black frame provides the backbone for the undercoated black floors and rockers.  More black is covering the suspension which has independent coil springs for the front and leaf springs for the rear, and we note drum brakes on all 4 corners.  A like new dual exhaust system with stock style mufflers is on for spent fossil removal.  Just a flawlessly executed restoration down below.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and good driver with a smooth acceleration and the transmission shifted nicely.  A real trip back in time with a good overall ride and I swear I caught a glimpse of Vukovich, Agabashian, and Rathmann bearing down on me in the rear view mirror.  Daydreams aside, my time behind the wheel was wonderfully spent with only the clock not keeping time, the high beam switch being stuck in the low position and a notable pull to the right was experienced when braking.

A great opportunity to own a truly stunning and rare 50's classic.  Despite the production numbers, only about 25 are known to the Pace Car Register, and as such, the opportunity to acquire a 1953 Ford Pace Car does not occur often.  So clearly there's nothing left for you to do but write the check and turn the key then chug your bottle of milk...after the check clears of course.

B3CC128294

B-239ci V8 110hp 2bbl
3-1953
C-Chester, PA Assy Plant
C-Crestline Sunliner
128294-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY PLATE

BODY 76B-Crestline Sunliner Convertible Coupe
COLOR SS-Special Order Color
TRIM SS-Special Order Trim
Production Code 29D D DC61P-April 29th

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.